Preet Kaur Gill

Preet Kaur Gill was born on 21 November 1972 in Edgbaston, Birmingham.{{cite web |title=Preet Kaur Gill |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/ckzloZBB32laPIDKMRuIJnVgjE8/appointments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201061752/https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/ckzloZBB32laPIDKMRuIJnVgjE8/appointments |archive-date=1 December 2017 |access-date=26 November 2017 |publisher=Companies House}} She was born to Indian parents Daljit Singh Shergill and Kuldeep Kaur Shergill. Her father was a foreman, and later a bus driver, and her mother worked as a seamstress.{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/daughter-indian-bus-driver-becomes-13160044|title=Daughter of Indian bus driver becomes UK's first female Sikh MP|work=Birmingham Post|date=9 June 2017|last=Stacey|first=Alison|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005636/http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/daughter-indian-bus-driver-becomes-13160044|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/2017-07-06/dream-big-think-big-the-story-of-britains-first-female-sikh-mp/|title='Dream big, think big': The story of Britain's first female Sikh MP|publisher=ITV News|date=6 July 2017|last=Sidhu|first=Balvinder|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107002922/http://www.itv.com/news/central/2017-07-06/dream-big-think-big-the-story-of-britains-first-female-sikh-mp/|url-status=live}} Daljit Singh was the longest serving president of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, the first gurdwara in the United Kingdom. Gill credits her father and Baron Tarsem King of West Bromwich as her main inspirations for her ambition to enter politics.{{cite news|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/preet-gills-reveals-father-inspired-become-first-female-sikh-mp/|title=Preet Gill's reveals her father inspired her to become first female Sikh MP|work=Eastern Eye|date=12 June 2017|last=Badshah|first=Nadeem|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012926/https://www.easterneye.eu/preet-gills-reveals-father-inspired-become-first-female-sikh-mp/|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://elle.in/elle-mentors/preet-kaur-gill-britain-mp/|title=Preet Kaur Gill is now Britain's first female Sikh MP|work=Elle India|date=9 June 2017|last=Mubarak|first=Salva|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014430/http://elle.in/elle-mentors/preet-kaur-gill-britain-mp/|url-status=live}}

She has six younger siblings. Her early education was at Lordswood Girls' School and Bournville College. At the latter, Gill was elected as student president. Gill graduated from the University of East London with a first-class BSc in sociology with social work.{{cite web|url=https://www.uel.ac.uk/news/2017/06/alumna-preet-gill-becomes-first-female-sikh-mp|title=UEL graduate Preet Kaur Gill becomes first female Sikh MP|publisher=University of East London|access-date=3 November 2017|date=9 June 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013211/https://www.uel.ac.uk/news/2017/06/alumna-preet-gill-becomes-first-female-sikh-mp|url-status=live}} After graduating, she worked as a social worker in a kibbutz in Israel and with street children in India.

She was a social worker in Waltham Forest and Birmingham specialising in child protection and serving as children's services manager in Birmingham from 2010 to 2017.

She was elected as a councillor for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in 2012 and re-elected in the 2016 local election; her term ended May 2018. On the council, she served as the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection.{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/politics/2017/06/13/new-mp-preet-gill-set-to-stay-on-as-councillor/|work=Express & Star|title=New MP Preet Gill set to stay on as councillor|date=13 June 2017|last=Madeley|first=Pete|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005940/https://www.expressandstar.com/news/politics/2017/06/13/new-mp-preet-gill-set-to-stay-on-as-councillor/|url-status=live}}

Gill supported remaining within the European Union (EU) in the 2016 EU membership referendum.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/british-indian-councillors-want-to-stay-in-eu/story-ciizeFThxlEjm1Suo1WpYK.html|title=British Indian councillors want to stay in EU|work=Hindustan Times|date=22 June 2016|last=Sonwalkar|first=Prasun|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013601/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/british-indian-councillors-want-to-stay-in-eu/story-ciizeFThxlEjm1Suo1WpYK.html|url-status=live}}

Gill was selected by the Labour Party to contest Birmingham Edgbaston on 28 April 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/labour-selects-preet-gill-birmingham-12957938|title=Labour selects Preet Gill as Birmingham Edgbaston candidate|work=Birmingham Mail|date=28 April 2017|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055438/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/labour-selects-preet-gill-birmingham-12957938|url-status=live}} At the snap 2017 general election, Gill was elected as MP for Birmingham Edgbaston with 55.3% of the vote and a majority of 6,917.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000560|work=BBC News|title=Birmingham Edgbaston|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920025250/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000560|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/preet-kaur-gill/4603|title=Preet Kaur Gill MP|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=4 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104234345/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/preet-kaur-gill/4603|url-status=live}}

In July 2017, she was elected as a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

On 12 January 2018, she was appointed as a Shadow Minister for International Development.{{cite news|title=Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn reshuffles his front bench and promotes two North East MPs|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn-reshuffles-14150254|work=Evening Chronicle|date=12 January 2018|last=Eden|first=Tom|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112225822/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn-reshuffles-14150254|url-status=live}}

In March 2019, Gill signed a letter supporting the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum on EU membership.{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-mp-preet-kaur-gill-15943548|title=Birmingham MP Preet Kaur Gill backs bid to stop Brexit|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=8 March 2019|website=birminghammail|access-date=12 March 2020|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918220856/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-mp-preet-kaur-gill-15943548|url-status=live}}

From 2017-2024, Gill was the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Mentoring and for British Sikhs.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/171108/register-171108.pdf|title=Register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups|date=8 November 2017|publisher=parliament.uk|pages=622, 770|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021330/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/171108/register-171108.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=British Sikhs APPG |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/APPG/british-sikhs |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}} In 2019, Gill successfully campaigned to amend the Offensive Weapons Act to protect the right of Sikhs to carry the Kirpan.{{Cite web |title=House of Commons Public Bill Committee Amendments: Offensive Weapons Bill, As Amended pages 22-28 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2017-2019/0265/amend/offensive_rm_rep_1121.22-28.html |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=publications.parliament.uk}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Jonathan |date=2019-06-19 |title=MP Preet Kaur Gill ensures knife crime law won't hit innocent Sikhs |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-mp-preet-kaur-gill-16451878 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Birmingham Live |language=en}}

Gill was re-elected as MP for Birmingham Edgbaston at the 2019 general election with a decreased vote share of 50.1% and a decreased majority of 5,614.{{cite news |title=Birmingham Edgbaston Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000560 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}

Gill supported Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.{{Cite web|url=https://labourlist.org/2020/02/preet-gill-why-im-backing-keir-starmer-for-labour-leader/|title=Preet Gill: Why I'm backing Keir Starmer for Labour leader|date=23 February 2020|website=LabourList|language=en-GB|access-date=12 March 2020|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224153554/https://labourlist.org/2020/02/preet-gill-why-im-backing-keir-starmer-for-labour-leader/|url-status=live}} She was promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for International Development following Starmer's election as leader.{{cite web |author1=Rajiv Syal |title=Ed Miliband returns to Labour frontbench in Keir Starmer reshuffle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/06/ed-miliband-returns-to-labour-frontbench-in-keir-starmer-reshuffle |website=The Guardian |access-date=6 April 2020 |date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406151529/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/06/ed-miliband-returns-to-labour-frontbench-in-keir-starmer-reshuffle |url-status=live }}

As Shadow Secretary of State, Gill initially shadowed Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan until the department was abolished in September 2020; since then she shadowed ministers of the newly created Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She remained in the shadow cabinet following the November 2021 reshuffle, but her position was renamed Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development and she joined the new shadow Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs team.{{Cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|title=Big reshuffle sees Cooper, Streeting, Lammy, Reynolds, Phillipson promoted|url=https://labourlist.org/2021/11/big-reshuffle-sees-cooper-streeting-lammy-reynolds-phillipson-promoted/|access-date=30 November 2021|website=LabourList|date=29 November 2021 |language=en-GB}}

In November 2020, Gill was elected Chair of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group of MPs.{{Cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Preet |date=11 November 2020 |title=Preet Kaur Gill MP becomes Chair of Co-operative Party Westminster Parliamentary Group |url=https://party.coop/2020/11/11/preet-kaur-gill-mp-becomes-chair-of-co-operative-party-westminster-parliamentary-group/ |website=Co-operative Party}}

On 19 December 2021, Gill was criticised by some social media users over a tweet she later deleted that referred to a "Hindu terrorist" behind the act of violence at Golden Temple in Amritsar.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/tweet-by-uk-mp-on-golden-temple-attack-angers-british-hindus-receives-rebuke-from-indian-mission/articleshow/88399134.cms|title = Tweet by UK MP on Golden Temple attack angers British Hindus, receives rebuke from Indian mission - Times of India|website = The Times of India| date=21 December 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/uk-mp-condemns-punjab-sacrilege-lynchings-after-blaming-hindu-terrorist-in-deleted-tweet/784638/|title = UK MP condemns Punjab 'sacrilege' & lynchings, after blaming 'Hindu terrorist' in 'deleted tweet'| website=ThePrint |date = 20 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-high-commission-slams-british-mp-preet-kaur-gill-over-tweet-on-attempted-sacrilege-incident-438684|title = Indian High Commission slams British MP Preet Kaur Gill over tweet on attempted sacrilege incident| date=21 December 2021 }}

On 23 February 2023, The Guardian reported on comments Gill made in a WhatsApp group which appeared to undermine Sikh victims of sexual violence. Gill was alleged to have said the women surveyed had used "very dangerous language" and urged them to submit apologies to gurdwaras. Following the report, Gill commented that she "worked with victims of abuse for twenty years" and "would never downplay the impact that abuse had on those victims."{{Cite news |last=Stacey |first=Kiran |last2= |first2= |date=23 February 2023 |title=Labour's Preet Gill accused of undermining Sikh victims of sexual violence |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/23/labours-preet-gill-accused-of-undermining-sikh-victims-of-sexual-violence |access-date=23 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Storer |first=Rhi |date=2023-02-24 |title=MP says she would 'never downplay' abuse after charity criticism |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/preet-gill-mp-says-would-26321530 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Birmingham Live |language=en}}

In the 2023 British shadow cabinet reshuffle she was replaced by Lisa Nandy, and Gill became Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health.{{Cite web |date=5 September 2023 |title=Lisa Nandy, Preet Kaur Gill and other Indian-origin MPs demoted in UK Opposition Labour Party reshuffle |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/lisa-nandy-preet-kaur-gill-and-other-indian-origin-mps-demoted-in-united-kingdom-opposition-labour-party-reshuffle/cid/1963897 |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=The Telegraph (India) |language=en}}

Gill is a member of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East.{{cite web |url=https://www.lfpme.co.uk/parliamentary-supporters/ |title=Parliamentary Supporters |website=lfpme.co.uk |access-date=2024-07-06}}

At the 2024 general election, Gill was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 44.3% and an increased majority of 8,368.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Edgbaston constituency Notice of Poll and Persons Nominated |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/29249/edgbaston_constituency_notice_of_poll_and_persons_nominated.pdf |access-date=8 June 2024 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |language=en}}

On 18 July 2024, Gill was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Preet |date=18 July 2024 |title=Preet Kaur Gill MP on X: "Delighted to be appointed as PPS to @JReynoldsMP Pleased to be joining a brilliant team who will be key to @UKLabour's number one mission to unlock investment and grow our economy. Excited to get stuck in!" |url=https://x.com/PreetKGillMP/status/1814010207917289491 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}

In October 2024, Gill introduced the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill to Parliament, to create an offence of possessing a blueprint for the production of a firearm by 3D printing.{{Cite web |title=Firearms (3D Printing) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament |url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=bills.parliament.uk |language=en}} The provisions in Gill's Bill were subsequently adopted by the government as part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.{{Cite web |title=Counter terror-style powers to strengthen ability to smash smuggling gangs |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/counter-terror-style-powers-to-strengthen-ability-to-smash-smuggling-gangs |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

Gill has been married to Sureash Singh Chopra, who is a social worker, since 2009. They have two daughters.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/search?q=Gill,%20Preet%20Kaur,%20(born%2021%20Nov.%201972),%20MP%20(Lab%20Co-op)%20Birmingham%20Edgbaston,%20since%202017|title=Who's Who (online edition)|date=1 December 2017|access-date=11 February 2018|publisher=Oxford University Press|archive-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211190106/http://www.ukwhoswho.com/search?q=Gill,%20Preet%20Kaur,%20(born%2021%20Nov.%201972),%20MP%20(Lab%20Co-op)%20Birmingham%20Edgbaston,%20since%202017|url-status=live}} Gill is vice-president of the Local Government Association and a non executive director for the Spring Housing Association.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/171023/171023.pdf|title=Register of Members' Financial Interests as at 23 October 2017|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=3 November 2017|page=176|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027181210/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/171023/171023.pdf|url-status=live}}

In September 2018, Gill was named as one of the Birmingham City University's Brummies Who Inspire, alongside fellow Birmingham MP, Shabana Mahmood.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/bcu175|title=BCU 175: Brummies Who Inspire|website=Birmingham City University|language=en-GB|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=16 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216222549/https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/bcu175|url-status=live}}

In October 2018, she was presented with the Sikh Women of Substance award by the Sikh's Women Alliance UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/ilford-faith-leader-presents-award-to-uk-s-first-female-sikh-mp-1-5753275|title=Ilford faith leader presents award to UK's first female Sikh MP|last=Walawalkar|first=Aaron|website=Ilford Recorder|date=26 October 2018|language=en|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000633/http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/ilford-faith-leader-presents-award-to-uk-s-first-female-sikh-mp-1-5753275|url-status=live}}

In December 2018, she was one of the recipients of the Giving Voice award, presented by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.{{Cite web|url=https://preetkaurgill.com/content/preet-wins-national-speech-and-language-therapy-award|title=Preet WINS NATIONAL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY AWARD|date=11 December 2018|website=Preet Kaur Gill|language=en|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131054037/https://www.preetkaurgill.com/content/preet-wins-national-speech-and-language-therapy-award/|url-status=live}}

In December 2020, Gill won the overall prize at the MP of the Year Awards organised by the Patchwork Foundation,{{Cite web|url=https://patchworkfoundation.org.uk/our-work/mp-of-the-year-awards/|title=MP of the Year Awards|first=Creative|last=Digital|date=23 October 2012|website=Patchwork Foundation}} for "her consistent championing of young people, representation of the Sikh Community and initiative to tackle Fuel Poverty via a strategic campaign aimed at the UK's biggest fuel companies."{{Cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/preet-kaur-gill-mp-wins-mp-of-the-year-award-for-consistent-championing-of-young-people/|title=Preet Kaur Gill MP wins MP of the Year award for 'consistent championing of young people'|date=3 December 2020}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{UK MP links |parliament=preet-kaur-gill/4603 |publicwhip=Preet_Kaur_Gill |theywork=preet_kaur_gill}}

{{S-start}}

{{S-par|uk}}

{{s-bef|before=Gisela Stuart}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston|years=2017–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{S-end}}{{Starmer Cabinet}}{{Labour Party UK MPs}}{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gill, Preet Kaur}}

Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century British women politicians

Category:Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies

Category:Labour Co-operative MPs for English constituencies

Category:UK MPs 2017–2019

Category:UK MPs 2019–2024

Category:Alumni of the University of East London

Category:British Sikhs

Category:21st-century English women

Category:21st-century English politicians

Category:British people of Indian descent

Category:British people of Punjabi descent

Category:Labour Friends of Israel

Category:Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

Category:UK MPs 2024–present